If you're visiting Dubai and thinking about renting a car — or a Lamborghini — the good news is that the system is genuinely tourist-friendly. The bad news is that a few rules trip up almost every first-timer. This is everything you need to know, written from the perspective of someone who handles tourist rentals every week.

Can tourists drive in Dubai?

Yes. As a tourist, you can legally drive in Dubai with two documents: your home-country driving licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP is just a translation of your licence into Arabic and 11 other languages, and it's recognised by all UAE rental companies and police.

You get the IDP from your home country before you travel — usually from your national auto club (AAA in the US, FFAC/FFCM in France, AA in the UK). It costs around 20-30 USD and takes minutes to issue. Get it before you fly. Once you're in Dubai you can technically still get one through the local equivalent, but it adds a half-day of admin you don't need.

Exceptions

Citizens from these countries can drive in the UAE with their home licence alone, no IDP required: most GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain), most EU member states, the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, and Switzerland.

If your country isn't on that list, you need an IDP — no exceptions.

Age requirements

The UAE legal driving age is 18, but rental companies set their own minimums. At Luxilo:

  • 20+ years old — eligible for all rentals
  • 20-25 years old — insurance covers 90% of any claim; you bear the remaining 10%
  • 25+ years old — full insurance coverage

For supercars, the practical minimum is usually 25.

What you need at pick-up

Three documents, every time:

  • Valid passport with UAE entry stamp (or Emirates ID for residents)
  • Home-country driving licence
  • International Driving Permit (if your country requires one)
  • Credit card in your name (for the deposit, even if you choose the no-deposit option)

The Salik system (tolls)

Dubai has automatic toll gates called Salik on its main highways. Every time you drive through one, 4 AED is automatically charged to the car's RFID tag. There are no booths, no slow-down, no choice — you just go through.

The car you rent already has the Salik tag installed. The tolls are passed on to you when you return the car, usually at cost (no markup at Luxilo). Plan for around 20-50 AED in Salik for an active driving day inside Dubai.

Speed limits and cameras

Dubai uses automatic radar cameras on virtually every major road. They're well marked but easy to miss when you're enjoying a 720S.

  • Highways (Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail, E311): 100-120 km/h depending on section
  • Urban arteries: 60-80 km/h
  • Residential streets, school zones: 40 km/h

The cameras have a 20 km/h tolerance on most roads — so on a 120 limit, you're fined above 140. This isn't a licence to speed: the fine for going more than 60 over the limit is 3,000 AED plus the impounding of the vehicle. Stay reasonable.

Traffic fines and how they work

Fines are issued automatically and tied to the vehicle's plate. After your rental ends, the company queries the system and any fines incurred during your rental period are charged to you, plus a small admin fee (usually 50 AED per fine).

You'll be informed of every fine within 5-10 days of returning the car. There's no surprise — just match the date/time of the fine with your rental period.

Parking

Dubai parking is mostly paid, with the RTA app or paid SMS. Mall parking, hotel parking, and most beach parking is free. Marina, Downtown, and JBR street parking is paid 8am-10pm Sunday-Thursday and 4pm-10pm on Friday/Saturday. Rates are 4 AED/hour in standard zones.

Don't park in a yellow-line zone or in a "loading only" spot — tow-aways happen and recovering the car costs around 1,500 AED.

Fuel

Dubai fuel is cheap by global standards. Super-95 is around 3.10 AED/litre. Stations are everywhere — ENOC, ADNOC, EPPCO — and they're full-service: you stay in the car and the attendant fills up. Cash and card both work.

Most rentals are full-to-full. Return the car with the same fuel level you received it.

Driving culture — what to expect

Dubai drivers are fast, lane-changes are aggressive, and the leftmost lane on highways is unofficially reserved for cars going 130+. Tailgating is common — if someone flashes their lights behind you, move over. It's not a confrontation, it's just the way it works.

Conversely: never undertake on the right unless absolutely necessary, never honk in a built-up area without good reason, and never make obscene gestures — all are punishable offences in the UAE.

Insurance and accidents

Every rental includes basic insurance. If you're in any accident, however minor, do not move the car until you've called Dubai Police on 999 and obtained a police report. The report (white = not at fault, green = at fault) is required by every insurance system in the country. Without it, the insurance won't cover anything.

Take pictures, exchange details with the other party, wait for the police, get the report, then call your rental company.

What's not allowed

  • Driving with any alcohol in your system — the legal limit is 0.00. A single beer can mean jail.
  • Using a handheld phone while driving — 800 AED fine.
  • Smoking in the rental car — cleaning fee of 1,000 AED at return.
  • Off-roading in a non-4x4 rental — voids the insurance.

Quick checklist before you collect the car

  • IDP and home licence in hand
  • Credit card in your name
  • Hotel address ready (most companies deliver)
  • UAE eSIM or roaming active (so the rental company can reach you and you can use Google Maps)
  • Phone screenshot of the rental confirmation

Drive safe. Dubai is one of the most rewarding cities in the world to drive in — just respect the system and it'll respect you back.

If you want to rent a luxury car or supercar for your stay, message us on WhatsApp or browse the catalogue.